MuayThai Fighter

When I was younger and was told to rake the leaves,instead of raking my dad would some times catch me using the rake as a bo(staff),practicing the strikes and blocks. I used to automatically bow not realizing until later and then would purposely make it look like I was trying to tie my shoe laces.Since I stopped doing karate 4yrs ago I haven't done that in a long time. However being in muay thai at my school we say "sir " instead of sensei,after asking bus driver something, I one time said without even thinking "thank-you sir"

We do alot of skipping,three,5 min rounds with situps in rest periods for 2mins and back to skipping. Another tough exercise is kicking,kicking shield with shins 50 x each side no rest in between. Punching focus mitts at instructor's count,so you do the number of punches he calls out,this can go on for 5-10 mins.and then when done doing same thing adding knees this time. One other tough exercise we do is situps with a partner everytime we sit up we pass a medicine ball to the other person,back and forth for 3 mins,doesn't sound like a long time,but trust me it hurts,and strengthens your stomache muscles. What are some tough exercises you do in your school?

When I did karate we did alot of running,push-ups,sit ups,kicking shields for warm up. Is that what you guys also do? In Pankration,we do a lot of skipping,sit ups(sometimes with weights in our hands, placed inf front of us as you would do when sparring),push ups,leg raises (which I hate doing),punching and kicking shields,leap frog jumps over a partner (if you guys know what that is) plus some more. Do any of you do skipping in your schools?I know when I did karate we never did,it's only now that we often do. When we skipp it's 3,five minute rounds,during rest we do as many situps as we can do in 2 min.then start skipping again.

I disagree. Usually shadow boxing is not designed to work as a notebook of a master's teachings. Usually a combo in shadow boxing is there for a single reason, it is not there for example for three distinctive interpretations for differing situations. Kata is something you need to interpret with expert guidance, shadow boxing is not interpreted and is usually something you do yourself only to better your skill, not to study it's meanings and interpretations. Good point,you pointed that out well,however I can't completely agree.Because boxing techniques can be used in several different combinations,it's just not interpreted in the same type of way as other martial arts it is true you don't have to study the meanings,because the tehniques are obvious for what they can be used for. Meaning a hook obviously is meant to hit body or head.You also still have to learn different combinations for every technique we learn ,it's just that,that when doing shadow boxing,it doesn't always have to be the exact same combinations you've learnt,but the basics are still the same.Even though we do learn combinations they are not pre-arranged techniques,because we use them in several ways,the way taught and ways we can figure out to use them on our own. It's also true shadow boxing is done on own to better your skill,but you still have to have learnt the basics before you'll know how to do shadow boxing,it's not like you can just walk in the dojo first time and start punching every where with no techniques and call it shadow boxing. That would be like someone coming into a car shop to fix your car and never having fixed a car before or even taken a mechanical course,and call themselves a mechanic. Ya shadow boxing is there for one reason to better ourselves in kicking butt.LOL Not all kickboxing or boxing schools do alot of shadow boxing though.My school rarely does it.We usually are punching and kicking shield,heavy bag,practicing techniques on one another or sparring.We usually do a bit of all of it in each class.

I learned alot about myself by watching that tape. I learned that I fight the way I think if that makes any sense. Anyone have any experiences like that? My school has all my fights on tape,but I haven't watched them yet,I will as soon as I get a vcr.It will be a good way to learn from my mistakes,because everyone makes a few mistakes whether they realize it or not.There's always room for improvement. The weirdest thing is everyone in my school has seen my fights,yet I haven't even seen my own fights. You fight the way you feel,well I fight in the ring the way I have to survive when fighting people bigger then me,and the way I'd fight on the street except with with rules .LOL Okay seriously I know what you mean.You've got to fight how you feel,it's got to come from inside you.It takes more then just being a good fighter or being tough although that is very important too,but it mostly has to come from the heart. I fight full contact since I'm a muay thai fighter as you can tell by my username.

Hello welcome to my post. I do pankration an art that combines muay thai and submission wrestling for those who don't know and may have not read or written in my other posts. What are the full contact martial arts styles you're interested in,whether it be a single martial arts or a mixed contact martial arts? I like to hear about different full contact arts if you're interested in sharing it with others please do so,I'd like to know about your art. By the way,does anyone here know what the difference is between Pankration and Shoot Fighting? They sound like the same art to me.

Thanks for the note but not once did I say katas had only hidden stances in them.I said they have alot of hidden techniques.YA YA YA,I know what katas have locks.Ours had punches,kicks,blocks,breaking bones,poking eyes and more,and yes I know about the weapons katas,my favourite weapon when I was doing karate was the bo(staff). I don't think katas are of use for many reasons such as movements done in stances,hands being placed at your side by the belt area,and the types of blocks I believe would never work. This is how I feel,that why practice the way you'd never spar.I know you don't spar same way you do katas,you guys aren't that stupid,but my point is if you're not going to spar like that then what use is the katas. Just my opinion from my years in martial arts. Some of my threads have been closed probably because of people complaining due to jealousy and also misunderstanding the point of my threads. I talk the way,I feel and just want other opinions even if it might sound like I'm insulting others styles,when in fact I don't mean it to sound that way,I'm just curious what others think and why they think katas are such a big deal and how important do they really think it is.Everyone has different opinions.

I totally disagree, kata and shadow boxing don't look anything like. I agree with the rest you said though,good explaination.

Just to let you in on a little secret I have shadow boxed before as well. I helped train 2 Tuff Man Winners and One Golden Gloves Champion. So don't assume anything. Just a lesson for life. Well G95champ,no offense but if you've trained Tough Man Winners and a Golden Gloves Champion,you should know that shadow boxing has balance and that we look at all angles. So if that's what you think shadow boxing is like,you better restart your training and those guys you've taught better get a different coach.

I'm not sure what you're saying. When you say we pull our hands back do you mean the way traditionalists keep their fists near their belt area or do you mean for deflecting a kick? If you mean we bring one hand down to push a rear kickout of the way,then yes we do have one technique like that,but if you mean the way karate people for example punch,then no we don't have that. We don't really bring our hands back, we do push the kick out of the way or swing it by us then kick our opponent,sometimes we just block the kick,we never bring our hands back though.

The things people say without ever having tried any certain martial arts,although I know you disagree with me on katas being useless,but the difference is I have at least done them before. If I am correct,like submission wrestling, jujitsu also uses angles by moving in all directions while on back in order to control opponent whether with legs or arms.

Bull shit,since when does shadow boxing not teach you balance? We move to all directions as if actually fighting,throwing jabs,right cross,hooks,uppercuts,knees,shin kicks etc.the difference is we don't do stances and we don't have set movements,we use what we've learnt and when shadow boxing we be creative and find different ways etc.but we still have balance. We move to right,left,forward and back and a round in circles.Haven't you ever seen the foot work involved in boxing and muay thai kickboxing?

There's a huge difference between kata and shadow boxing. First of all with shadow boxing,you don't have set movements like katas,making shadow boxing more realistic,since you won't be using set movements in a real situation. Second shadow boxing is more then just imaginary opponents,it's also an exercise. Where as katas aren't really done for exercise,they're set movements done to practice, what traditional artists believe are away of self-defense,due to their hidden techniques,even though they're not.Most traditional artists also believe the more kata you practice the better a fighter you will become.They believe martial arts can't do without kata,for ex.kata is the essence of karate do. Katas also involve different kinds of stances like shiko dachi,sanchin,etc. which are very much useless,where as in shadow boxing there are no stances other then natural fighting stance.

Traditional arts like karate,tae kwon do,kung fu are arts that do alot of katas. Due to the swift movements,they can be compared to ballet in many ways. Katas can look cool if you're a well trained black belt,however its effectiveness is very poor in self-defense. In other words katas are mostly for show although most sensei's and students will deny this,and insist on the quality and effectiveness they truely believe or have been brain washed to believe exist in their katas. For this reason I believe katas can very much be compared to ballet,perhaps people in ballet could incorporate the movements and use them for their exercise and performances. To think katas should really take place in martial arts just because that's how it started off and the masters thought it would be right is wrong. People who take martial arts for the purpose of self-defense need to wake up and realize that katas will never help their ability to fight in a self-defense situation. To be a good fighter in martial arts you have to spar,and only spar. Spar,Spar,Spar,Spar,to become a good,serious fighter. This post is not to insult but to get opinions and to inform people of the truth and help them gain proper knowledge of martial arts.To believe in katas is to limit oneself.

What the hell are you talking about,not once have we been told to keep our hands down whether in class or tournament,we always keep our hands up as you would on the street.

That's good because techniques of martial arts shouldn't be made to look pretty, should be effective and powerful,unfortunately most arts have techniques that are just show and not effective at all.That's why I am so much against katas.Katas are just fancy looking moves,and most of the hidden techiques are useless,they're not effective,look cool though. Want techniques that look pretty but uneffective go do gynastics or ballet then,they're good for those kinds of sport but have nothing to do with self-defense.

When I was originally taught Karate, they distinguished between the "training method" of throwing techniques, and the "fighting method". The first where you pull one hand back helps you appreciate how to build power through moving the whole body. The second, we were recommended to keep a guard arm near our head at all times. I know I was taught both too,exactly why if you read my response correctly,I said what's the use of pulling your hands back in katas if you're never going to spar that way,so I do realize in karate they don't spar same way they do katas,that's my whole point. I also realize you learn that pulling your hand back helps build power while moving the whole body,remember I did karate too,so I realize that. But regardless of what you're taught about pulling hand back giving more power,it actually doesn't.It might feel as if it does but in reality it doesn't. Speed breeds power right? So don't you think hands up in front of you would be more powerful,since it's easier and quicker to punch like that. It's better to keep practicing sparring since you're not going to go into kata or karate stance anyway while sparring or defending yourself on street,unless you're crazy and don't mind losing in a real fight. To waste time doing katas for a bit, and told to keep your hands near your waist and then all of a sudden told something else for actual sparring makes no sense. Doing katas for self-defense is like taking computers to be a construction worker. You don't need computers to be a construction worker just like you don't need katas to become a better fighter.

No when we throw Thai round house kicks hands are always up near our face,always like that whether sparring or not.We still use our still hips though,like any other martial arts. Think about it,if you drop your hands or throw one hand back while you do a kick or any technique, do you not think you'll get hammered in the face?I know if my opponent drops his hands I'm going to hit him in face. I know in traditional martial arts like karate when punching they bring one hand back,which to be honest is stupid,good way of getting smoked in the head.Besides when a hand is coming from far back it can be obvious what he or she plans on doing. I took karate for 12yrs.and have noticed huge difference with that and muay thai. In muay thai you better keep your hands up,especially in countries that allow muay thai fighters to use their elbow strikes.

Takes 4 yrs to get black belt in Goju Ryu and another 3 to get to 2nd Dan.

It's amazing how much brain wash you guys have gotten from your sensei's. If katas make the best fighters then why is it boxers,muay thai kickboxers,pankration,shooto fighters always win fights. You think Mike Tyson or Hollyfield practice katas?Of course not yet Mike Tyson used to be a very good fighter and Hollyfield is a great fighter too.Neither of them practice kata.

No Zero, if you just sparr you are not a martial artist, just a fighter. Katas are not just dances, there is some martial value to them believe it or not. Actually you can do martial arts without kata,no offense but katas are a waist of time. Ya the master in Okinawa don't spar because they're too old too,but the students do. As far as the monks are concerned,you're absolutely right they do have the ability to perform incredible defeats of strength,power and agility,but I got news for you that has to do with inner strength.They can take alot more abuse on their body then anyone else,in fact I have watched a live demonstration of them and it's incredible,but that doesn't mean they can spar and defend themselves.You hear alot about what they can do,but I have never heard about them being able to use that inner strength to their advantage in a fight except in a movie. What they are able to do has nothing to do with their katas it has to do with inner strength that most people will never discover.I agree with fact that they are awesome with their katas,but I am yet to see them win in sparring.I bet anything they'd lose in a real fight among the average person. It's funny you always hear about what they can do,but you never hear about what they can't do,and everyone acts like they're super human or gods just because of what they can do. Besides the average martial artist doesn't train 6 hrs a day ,7 days a week like they do.

What a joke.Katas do sh!t.To be the best fighter you have to sparr and I don't mean B.S point sparring,I mean FULL CONTACT,as that done in muay thai kickboxing. Katas are a waist of time unless you're doing martial arts just for the sake keeping in shape,strengthing legs and improving focus and co-ordination which every art does anyways.If you do katas,you might as well be doing ballet. For self-defense,you have to sparr it is as simple as that.Think about it,in a self-defense situation are you going to go in a stance,punch air and look for scoring points?I doubt it,unless you're an idiot.In a real life situation where you really have to fight,you're going to take the guy to the ground whether it's with a knock out or not. I have one question.Why learn what won't work?

I agree with those who say size doesn't matter it is so true. Size means shit.You can have a huge body builder type guy,whose really tough,but if he is slow and can't beat you to the punch and his punches are very sloppy or he misses half the time,he's going down regardless of his size. I have friends who are pretty big and they'll be the first one to say size means crap,that sometimes a small guy is at a better advantage,it just depends on how he fights,whether he knows martial arts or not. I saw bouncer once who was so short and skinny,looking at him he looked like a wimp and you'd probably wonder how some one like that could be a bouncer,well guess what,at that club a fight broke out and this bouncer took this huge steroid looking guy to the ground as if he was a piece of string,this guys was one tough mother fucker. You know that saying,never judge a book by its cover,well there is truth to that. For example if you have a tall guy who is 6"2 ,and only a 180 lbs then you have a guy who is only 5'8 and also slim,the guy who is taller isn't going to necessarily win.The small guy might win.It can go either way. In a real fight it's not about size or strength it's about being smart,knowing how to defend yourself,being able to beat your opponent to the punch or kick or even throw him to ground and most of all being able to take a punch to the head or body. You also have to have guts. If you're huge but aren't quick,can't take a punch to body or head and don't have it in you to fight,it's as simple as this,you'll lose. Some people regardless of size will suddenly freeze because they just can't fight or can but don't have it in them to do anything.In fact many big guys just talk tough but aren't and take advantage of the fact that most people find them intimidating,when there is no need to. Another example sometimes if a small guy tells a huge guy off,the big guy right away gets scared because they're not used to having small guys talk to them like that ,it has worked for me.I use my mouth before I use my fists,I will fight only if I really have to. I told some bouncer who was pissing me off to go f off and said don't even think about touching me,you should have seen the look on his face,he was shocked.This was what he said later,either you're a great fighter or just plain stupid to talk to me like that.So I told him both,only way to find out is by trying something stupid.Who knows he might have been able to kick my but then again maybe couldn't but at least using my brain and mouth worked and stopped him from taking any chance because he realized I wasn't intimitated by his size.Big guys want you to be intimitated and many times people are. However I do agree that if both guys are extremely good fighters,they're both quick and can both take hard hit and both have it in them to fight chances are the big guy will win at least in close quarter position because he has all that weight coming down on you that can knock you out,but if you can keep him from coming close to begin with you might just win. Anyway in real fight if I saw I was going to lose against someone regardless of their size, I'll do anything to get away,such as taking his knee caps out.A little hard to fight with a broken knee cap correct? of course.

I'm not really a teacher, just an assistant. But the style is go ju ru, hope i spelled it right. I suck at spelling sometimes. Actually it's spelt Goju Ryu,I took this style for 12yrs. I stopped 4yrs.ago when I finally woke up and realized how useless Goju Ryu is for self-defense as all traditional arts are.They're great for doing B.S katas and improving on kicking and punching air.LOL

I don't care what Bob Wall thinks, the only person that would know the entire truth is Linda, and she has a right to want to preserve her dead husband's name. I agree with you on this statement.